Shore tower assembly

ABSTRACT

The tower assembly is used in construction work for supporting a load such as girders or concrete form assemblies at varying elevated positions above the ground surface during the building of highway bridge structures and the like and comprises a series of vertically stacked tower sections. Each tower section has four corner posts which in adjacent tower sections are releasably connected together in an end to end relation to provide a desired tower height. The corner posts on the top and bottom tower sections have independently linearly adjustable extension units to accommodate, respectively, varying load engageable surfaces and an uneven ground surface. A frame structure is connectable to each adjacent pair of corner posts in a tower section at selected positions longitudinally thereof to vary the spacing between adjacent pairs of corner posts in accordance with the dimensional requirements of the load to be supported by the tower assembly.

United States Patent Jennings SHORE TOWER ASSEMBLY Inventor: Ralph L. Jennings, Des Moines, Iowa Economy Forms Corporation, Des Moines, Iowa Sept. 15, 1970 Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

US. Cl. ..52/122, 52/638, 52/646, 52/648, 182/179 Int. Cl ..E04g 5/02, 1504b 12/ 10 Field of Search ..52/637, 638,645, 646, 648, 52/650, 122; 182/178, 179

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 546,067 3/1956 Belgium ..l82/l78 1,454,826 8/1966 France ..52/638 Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Attomey-Rudolph L. Lowell [57] ABSTRACT The tower assembly is used in construction work for supporting a load such as girders or concrete form assemblies at varying elevated positions above the ground surface during the building of highway bridge structures and the like and comprises a series of vertically stacked tower sections. Each tower section has four comer posts which in adjacent tower sections are releasably connected together in an end to end relation to provide a desired tower height. The corner posts on the top and bottom tower sections have independently linearly ad- 1 justable extension units to accommodate, respectively, varyl ing load engageable surfaces and an uneven ground surface. A 1 frame structure is connectable to each adjacent pair of corner posts in a tower section at selected positions longitudinally thereof to vary the spacing between adjacent pairs of corner vposts in accordance with the dimensional requirements of the load to be supported by the tower assembly.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures I El PATENTED ARZI I972 3,650,078

HAL PH L Jaw/-05 A TTOANEK PATENTEDMAREI 1972 SHEET 2 [IF 3 //v VENTOR.

RALPH LJE/YN/NGJ ATm/PNEX PATENTEDMARZI |972 SHEET 3 0F 3 l/v VE/YTOR. R41. PH L. JENNINGS ATTORNEY SHORE TOWER ASSEMBLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The tower assembly of this invention is of a knockdown construction comprised of corner post sections or leg members and side frame structures which are ground assembled to form tower sections capable of being vertically stacked to form towers having variable transverse dimensional requirements. A plurality of like post sections and frame structures can thus be used to erect different tower sizes. The extensible units for the leg members of the bottom tower section in a tower assembly permits an independent adjustment of the lower ends of the tower corner posts for a level support of the tower on an uneven or sloped ground surface. The extensible units on the leg members of the top tower section provides for a relative vertical extension of the upper ends of the tower corner posts to accommodate variations in the engageable surfaces of the load to be supported and a variation in the'heights of adjacent tower assemblies used for supporting a common load. With the leg members of adjacent tower sections connected together in an end to end relation, a tower assembly can be picked up by a crane and moved to different jobs within a construction area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the shore tower assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of one of the tower sections that form the tower assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view illustrated similarly to FIG. 2 showing a modified form of tower section;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tower section shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the lower end of a corner post of the tower assembly showing a jack unit used for leveling the tower assembly;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged sectional detail views as seen along the lines 66 and 7-7, respectively, in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded detail view showing the assembly of the cross arms in a side frame structure that forms part of a tower section.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawing the tower assemblyof this invention, indicated generally as 10 in FIG. 1,, is illustrated as including a plurality of tower sections 11, three of which are shown, releasably connected together in a vertically stacked relation.

Each tower section 11 (FIGS. 2 and 4) includes four corner post or leg members 12 and four side frame structures, with a side frame structure extended between and connected to adjacent corner post members 12. Each corner post member is of a tubular construction of a square shape in transverse cross section.

Secured as by weldments to corresponding adjacent side surfaces thereof are pairs of clip or support members 13 and 14 longitudinally spaced equal distances apart but with adjacent clip members 13 and 14 offset longitudinally of a corner post. The clip members 13 and 14 are of a like construction with each being of a U-shape in transverse section, extended transversely of a corresponding corner post member 12 with its base section 16 secured to a corner post. The leg portions 17 of each clip member 13 and 14 are formed with pairs of spaced transversely aligned openings 18.

A side frame structure (FIGS. 2 and 4) is of a tubular construction and includes a pair of horizontal parallel side members 19 spaced a distance apart corresponding to the spacing between pairs of clip members 13 and 14. The members 19 are interconnected by a bracing structure 21 of a generally X-shape having the ends 22 of the crossed members 23 and 24 thereof secured to corresponding side members 19 at positions spaced inwardly from the ends of the side members. As shown in FIG. 8, the member 23 is continuous in length and is received between cut sections of the member 24 for connection thereto as by welding to provide for the members 23 and 24 lying in a common plane. Each side member 19 is formed with transversely aligned longitudinally spaced openings 26 located outwardly from an end 22 of the cross members 23 and 24.

In the assembly of a tower section 11, a side frame structure 15 has the ends of the side members 19 received between the leg portions 17 of corresponding clips 13 or 14. The frame structures 15 and comer post members 12 are releasably interconnected by pins 27 inserted through a pair of the openings 18 in a clip 13 or 14 and an aligned selected pair of the openings 26 in the side members 19. As best appears in FIG. 4, with the frame structures 15 and corner post members 12 thus assembled the adjacent ends of the frame structures 15 form corners for receiving the post members therein. By-

virtue of the offset relation of the clip members 13 and 14 the ends of the side members 19 are permitted to cross each other. The comer post members 12 may thus be pin connected to the sidemembers 19 at longitudinally spaced positions thereof to provide for variations in the spacing between the post members 12, as illustrated for the dotted line showing of the post members in FIG. 4.

The tower sections 11 are assembled on the ground after which they are vertically stacked to build the tower assembly 10 to its desired height. For stacking purposes corresponding post members 12 are arranged in an end to end relation and connected together by means including coupler units 28 (FIG. 6) to form continuous post units extended the full height of the tower assembly.

Each coupler unit 28 includes a plate or flat body member 29 having end sections 31 extended laterally from opposite sides thereof in a longitudinally aligned relation. The end sections 31 are of a size for telescopic reception within the ends of adjacent corner post members 12 so that the plate member 29 is positioned between and in bearing engagement with such ends. The end sections 31 of a coupling unit 28 thus longitudinally align adjacent post members 12 so that their corresponding side surfaces lie in common planes and the plate member 29 functions as a load transfer member relative to such adjacent corner post members. Connecting pins 32 extended transversely through aligned openings in the end sec tions 31 of the coupler units 28 and the adjacent ends of the post members 12 releasably connect the corner post members together for handling of the tower assembly as a unit package.

The comer post members 12 of the top one of the tower sections 11 are each provided with an adjustable extension assembly 33. Each assembly 33 includes a telescoping member 34 of a size to slidably fit within a post member 12. Mounted about the telescoping member 34 is a bearing sleeve 36 that is integrally formed at its lower end with a socket 37 for receiving the upper end of a post member 12. The sleeve 36 has the same transverse dimensions as the post member 12 so that with the upper end of the post member 12 received within the socket 37 the corresponding side surfaces of the sleeve 36 and the post 12 lie in common planes. The telescoping member 34 is formed over about 6 feet of its length with transversely aligned openings 38 which are spaced longitudinally of the telescoping member. Pins 39 releasably connect the telescoping member 34 with the post member 12 and the sleeve member 36 with the telescoping member 34. It is seen, therefore, that the telescoping member 34 and post 12 in the top tower section 11 function as a continuous column with the sleeve 36 acting to linearly transfer all of the load from the telescoping member 34 directly to the post member 12.

Where the telescoping members 34 may be extended in excess of 3 or 4 feet upwardly from corresponding post members 12 of the top tower section 11, it is desirable that the telescoping members 46 be braced or interconnected by side frame structures 41 (FIG. 1). Collar members 42 mounted for movement longitudinally of a corresponding telescoping member 34 are each provided with clip members 13 and 14 that are connected with the side members 43 of a frame structure 41 in all respects similar to the connection of the clip members 13 and 14 and side members 19 described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 4.

For what might be called a vemier extension of the post members 12 of the top tower section 11, relative to their extension provided by the telescoping members 34, each telescoping member carries at its upper end a jack unit 44 (FIG. 7). Each jack unit has a cap structure 46 which includes a flat square cover member 47 and depending inner and outer tubular sections 48 and 49, respectively, central relative to the cover member and arranged in a spaced relation so as to form a receiving socket therebetween. The upper end of the telescoping member 34 is received in this socket with the inner tubular section 48 telescoped therein. In the event telescoping members 34 are not required to provide a desired height of the tower assembly 10, the cap structure 46 is mounted directly on the upper end of top post member 12, with such upper end telescoped within the outer tubular section 49. 7

Projected downwardly through the cover member 47 and axially into the telescoping member 34, or into the post member 12 when a telescoping member is not used, is ajack screw 51, the upper end of which is swivelly mounted in a bearing block 52. An adjustable nut 53 on the screw 51 rests directly on the top surface of the cover member 47. The jack screw is thus retracted or extended in response to the adjustment of the nut 53 to in turn vertically adjust the bearing block 52. A jack unit 44 is releasably connected to a telescoping member 34 by a pair of oppositely arranged locking pins 54 extended through the tubular sections 48 and 49 with their inner ends in contact engagement with the screw 51.

To support the tower assembly 10 in a vertical position on an uneven or inclined ground surface the post members 12 of the bottom tower section 11 are each equipped at their lower ends with ajack unit 55. The jack units 54 (FIGS. 1 and are similar in all respects to the jack units 44 of FIG. 7 except for the addition of a base or anchor plate 56 for the bearing block 52. Similar numerals will be used therefor to designate like parts.

A jack unit 55 (FIG. 5) is inverted relative to a jack unit 44 and receives the lower end of a post member 12 in a telescoped relation within the outer tubular section 49. The cover member 47 rests directly on the nut 53 for the jack screw 51, so that on extension and retraction of the screw 51 relative to the lower end of a post member the tower assembly at such post member is raised and lowered.

A bearing block 52 is secured as by weldments to and in a centered relation on the base plate 56 which is of a rectangular shape. The block 52 is shielded by a housing member 57 which is comprised of an inverted channel member positioned over the bearing block and extended the full length of the base plate 56. The jack screw 51 extends upwardly from the bearing block through an opening 58 in the housing member 57.

In one embodiment of the invention the post members 12 are about feet long and formed of 6X6X% inch tubular material. The telescoping members 34 are also about 10 feet long and formed of a 5 5 inch tubular material with the holes 38 spaced 6 inches apart. In a cap structure 46 the outer wall 49 is about 3 inches long and formed of a 7 7X% inch tubular material. The inner wall 48 is also about 3 inches long and formed of a 4X4X /4 inch tubular material. The bracing structures 21 and side members 19 of the frame structures may be constructed of 2X2 inch or 2X 1 /6 inch tubular material.

The shore tower assembly 10 is thus constructed of a minimum number of parts that are economically fabricated and capable of providing tower sizes varying both in width and in height. The tower sections 11 are readily assembled on the ground surface and capable of being picked up as a unit for stacking purposes. When assembled in a stacked relation the tower sections 11 along with the jack units 44 and 55 are all interconnected so that the completed tower assembly 10 can be readily moved from job to job in the same construction area.

In FIG. 3 there is shown a modified form of a tower section designated as 59. This tower section 59 has post members 61 that are 20 feet long. Each side frame structure 62 for connecting together adjacent pairs of post members 61 includes side members 63, and a center member 64 arranged in a parallel relation with a brace structure 66 extended between and connected to each side member 63 and the central member 64. The ends of the side members 63 and central'members 64 are connected to the clips 13 and 14 which are secured to the post members 61 in all ways similar to the connection of the side frame structures 15 with the post members 12.

I claim:

1. A tower assembly comprising:

a. a plurality of vertically stacked tower sections each of which includes four discrete upright corner post members in spaced parallel relation and four discrete frame structures with a frame structure connected between each pair of post members which define the sides of said tower sections,

b. each frame structure including an upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member,

c. a brace structure interconnecting the horizontal members of each frame structure, and

d. supporting means on said corner post members and horizontal spaced coacting means at each end of said members for supporting said horizontal members at selected positions longitudinally thereof on said corner post members to provide for predetermined variations in the spacing of oppositely arranged pairs of posts.

2. The tower assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

a. each of said frame structures has the brace structure thereof arranged symmetrically relative to a vertical plane extended transversely and centrally of corresponding upper and lower horizontal members.

3. The tower assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said supporting means include mounting members on each of said corner post members corresponding to adjacent frame structures,

b. said mounting members relatively arranged so that said adjacent frame structures lie in vertical planes which define a corner within which a corner post member is located.

4. The tower assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said supporting means are carried on said post members in relative vertically offset positions to provide for adjacent frame structures being vertically offset so that corresponding horizontal members on said adjacent frame structures may extend in intersecting vertical planes defining a corner within which a comer post member is located.

5. The tower assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said corner post members are of a tubular construction,

b. a bearing sleeve for the upper end of each corner post member of the top one of said tower sections each bearing sleeve having a transverse size and shape corresponding to a corner post member,

c. means for supporting a bearing sleeve on and in longitudinal alignment with an associated comer post member,

d. an adjustable extension for the upper end of each corner post member of the top one of said tower sections,

e. said adjustable extension being of a reduced transverse size relative to a corner post member for reception in a telescoping relation within a corresponding corner post member and bearing sleeve,

f. first connecting pins extended transversely through a bearing sleeve and adjustable extension, and

g. second connecting pins extended transversely through an adjustable extension and a corresponding corner post member.

6. The tower assembly according to claim 5 wherein:

a. said adjustable extensions are of a tubular construction,

b. a cap structure for the upper end of each of said adjustable extensions having a flat corner with a depending tubular projection telescopically received within said upper end,

c. a jack screw extended through said cover member and within said adjustable extension and tubular projection in coaxial alignment therewith,

d. a load carrying nut on said jack screw in bearing engagement with the top surface of said cover member, and

e. a load engaging block mounted on the upper end of said jack screw.

7. The tower assembly according to claim 6 including:

a. means for releasably connecting said tubular projection to said adjustable extension whereby said tower assembly is movable as a unit by attachment of a crane lift to said load engaging blocks.

8. The tower assembly according to claim 1 including:

a. means releasably connecting together the adjacent ends of corresponding corner post members in adjacent tower sections so that the load on an upper corner post member is linearly transmitted directly and uniformly over the full cross sectional area of a next lower comer post member.

9. The tower assembly according to claim 8 wherein:

a. said corner post members are of a tubular construction,

and

b. said releasable connecting means includes a coupling unit for connecting together each pair of said adjacent ends of corresponding post members,

c. each coupling unit having a flat transverse central section corresponding in shape to but larger than the transverse cross sectional area of a comer post member, and end sections secured to and extended in longitudinal alignment from opposite sides of said central section, said end sections having transverse shapes corresponding to the transverse cross sections of said comer post members and of a size to be telescopically received within a pair of said adjacent ends such that said flat central section is between and in direct load bearing engagement with said adjacent ends.

10. The tower assembly according to claim 8 including:

a. first linearly adjustable units corresponding to and projected upwardly from the upper ends of the corner post members of the top one of said tower sections, and

b. second linearly adjustable units corresponding to and projected downwardly from the lower ends of the comer post members of the bottom one of said tower sections,

c. said units being relatively adjustable independently of each other. 

1. A tower assembly comprising: a. a plurality of vertically stacked tower sections each of which includes four discrete upright corner post members in spaced parallel relation and four discrete frame structures with a frame structure connected between each pair of post members which define the sides of said tower sections, b. each frame structure including an upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member, c. a brace structure interconnecting the horizontal members of each frame structure, and d. supporting means on said corner post members and horizontal spaced coacting means at each end of said members for supporting said horizontal members at selected positions longitudinally thereof on said corner post members to provide for predetermined variations in the spacing of oppositely arranged pairs of posts.
 2. The tower assembly according to claim 1 wherein: a. each of said frame structures has the brace structure thereof arranged symmetrically relative to a vertical plane extended transversely and centrally of corresponding upper and lower horizontal members.
 3. The tower assembly according to claim 1 wherein: a. said supporting means include mounting members on each of said corner post members corresponding to adjacent frame structures, b. said mounting members relatively arranged so that said adjacent frame structures lie in vertical planes which define a corner within which a corner post member is located.
 4. The tower assembly according to claim 1 wherein: a. said supporting means are carried on said post members in relative vertically offset positions to provide for adjacent frame structures being vertically offset so that corresponding horizontal members on said adjacent frame structures may extend in intersecting vertical planes defining a corner within which a corner post member is located.
 5. The tower assembly according to claim 1 wherein: a. said corner post members are of a tubular construction, b. a bearing sleeve for the upper end of each corner post member of the top one of said tower sections each bearing sleeve having a transverse size and shape corresponding to a corner post member, c. means for supporting a bearing sleeve on and in longitudinal alignment with an associated corner post member, d. an adjustable extension for the upper end of each corner post member of the top one of said tower sections, e. said adjustable extension being of a reduced transverse size relative to a corner post member for reception in a telescoping relation within a corresponding corner post member and bearing sleeve, f. first connecting pins extended transversely through a bearing sleeve and adjustable extension, and g. second connecting pins extended transversely through an adjustable extension and a corresponding corner post member.
 6. The tower assembly according to claim 5 wherein: a. said adjustable extensions are of a tubular construction, b. a cap structure for the upper end of each of said adjustable extensions having a flat corner with a depending tubular projection telescopically received within said upper end, c. a jack screw extended through said cover member and within said adjustable extension and tubular projection in coaxial alignment therewith, d. a load carrying nut on said jack screw in bearing engagement with the top surface of said cover member, and e. a load engaging block mounted on the upper end of said jack screw.
 7. The tower assembly according to claim 6 including: a. means for releasably connecting said tubular projection to said adjustable extension whereby said tower assembly is movable as a unit by attachment of a crane lift to said load engaging blocks.
 8. The tower assembly according to claim 1 including: a. means releasably connecting together the adjacent ends of corresponding corner post members in adjacent tower sections so that the load on an upper corner post member is linearly transmitted directly and uniformly over the full cross sectional area of a next lower corner post member.
 9. The tower assembly according to claim 8 wherein: a. said corner post members are of a tubular construction, and b. said releasable connecting means includes a coupling unit for connecting together each pair of said adjacent ends of corresponding post members, c. each coupling unit having a flat transverse central section corresponding in shape to but larger than the transverse cross sectional area of a corner post member, and end sections secured to and extended in longitudinal alignment from opposite sides of said central section, said end sections having transverse shapes corresponding to the transverse cross sections of said corner post members and of a size to be telescopically received within a pair of said adjacent ends such that said flat central section is between and in direct load bearing engagement with said adjacent ends.
 10. The tower assembly according to claim 8 including: a. first linearly adjustable units corresponding to and projected upwardly from the upper ends of the corner post members of the top one of said tower sections, and b. second linearly adjustable units corresponding to and projected downwardly from the lower ends of the corner post members of the bottom one of said tower sections, c. said units being relativelY adjustable independently of each other. 